 An economic and geo-political organization of ten Southeast Asian countries valuing peace, freedom, and prosperity  “One vision, one identity, one community”  Important Documents:  ASEAN Declaration (a.k.a. Bangkok Declaration), signed in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8 th, 1967 and established its aims, purposes, and machinery (leadership, bodies, etc.)

 Declaration of ASEAN Concord, signed in Indonesia on February 24 th, 1976, laid down the framework for a program of action:  Political: meetings between Heads of Governments of members when necessary and the use of peaceful means to settle intra-regional disputes  Economic: cooperation of basic commodities (i.e. food and energy), industry, trade, and approaches to world economic problems  Cultural and Information: the study and promotion of ASEAN, its member countries, and its national languages in schools and in the media  Security: cooperation of member countries regarding security issues  Improvement of ASEAN Machinery: regular study and review of its organizational and constitutional structures

 Agreement on The Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme For the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), signed in Singapore on January 28 th, 1992 set effective tariffs and other barriers on imported and exported goods and agricultural products between member countries; the goal is zero import duties to foster a globally competitive single market  Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon- Free Zone, signed in Bangkok on December 15 th, 1995 defined nuclear weapon-related terms and stated that each state party undertakes not to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess, station, transport, test, or use nuclear weapons

 ASEAN Vision 2020, signed in 1997, reaffirmed the ASEAN Declaration  Ha Noi Plan of Action, signed in 1998, set a six-year ( ) timeframe for enhancing macroeconomic, financial, information technology, and science & technology cooperation  ASEAN Charter, signed on December 15 th, 2008, established political commitment, legal frameworks, and initiatives for its members

 ASEAN was established in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8 th, 1967 (45 years old)  Changes from the original:  Has shifted some of its focus to the environment and democracy  Now strives to enact free trade agreements (thereby improving relations) with The People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand  In 2006, ASEAN was finally granted observer status in the United Nations by the UN General Assembly

 “To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors” (ASEAN Declaration)  “To promote regional peace and stability” (ASEAN Declaration)  “To collaborate on economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific, administrative, educational, and professional matters” (ASEAN Declaration)  “To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and industries” (ASEAN Declaration)  “To promote Southeast Asian studies” (ASEAN Declaration)  Fundamental principles include peace, sovereignty, equality, integrity, and cooperation

 Membership:  August 8 th, 1967: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand  January 8 th, 1984: Brunei Darussalam  July 28 th, 1995: Vietnam  July 23 rd, 1997: Laos and Myanmar  April 30 th, 1999: Cambodia

 Leadership:  ASEAN Coordinating Council (last updated on August 24 th, 2011), ASEAN Community Councils (last updated on January 26 th, 2010), various ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, a Committee of Permanent Representatives (last updated on March 20 th, 2011), ASEAN National Secretariats (last updated on August 8 th, 2011), and various ASEAN Committees Abroad  Chair of ASEAN rotates; is currently Cambodia

 provides economic singularity and growth between member nations through AFTAs  encourages peace and discourages the use of violent (ex: nuclear) means of settling disputes  intra-regional collaboration on several issues (ex: educational, technological) is fostered

 there is little focus on human rights in light of economic issues (especially in Myanmar)  some countries have experienced protests against globalization post- membership  can be viewed as a force undermining a country’s sovereignty

 People’s Republic of China:  AFTA established between the two countries; criticized because China provides cheaper labor and more FDI, which may lead to the economic decline of ASEAN countries  Eleven cooperation areas: agriculture, information and communication technology, human resource development, Mekong Basin Development (closing the development gap), investment, energy, transport, culture, public health, tourism, and environment (The China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Centre, or CAEC, was established in May of 2011)  China’s direct investment in ASEAN has reached $12.5 billion, and accounted for 11.3% of ASEAN’s total trade in 2010  ASEAN accounted for 9.8% of China’s total trade in 2010

 Russia:  Russia agreed to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on November 29 th, 2004  ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) is aimed to strengthen relations between the two countries from  ASEAN-Russia Energy Cooperation Work Programme encourages cooperation regarding the development of alternative and renewable energy, the usage of coal, oil, and gas, and the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy  total trade between the two has increased 34% from

 "ASEAN Countries." ASEAN Countries & Myanmar. Myanmar's NET, Web. 26 Mar  The Official Website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The ASEAN Secretariat, Web. 26 Mar  "UN Grants ASEAN Observer Status." Harvard International Law Journal. (2006): n. page. Web. 26 Mar